This is one of those dinners you assemble, put in the slow cooker, and leave to do it's thing while you do yours. The inexpensive (well, relatively!) round steak braises in a vegetable mixture--onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and celery--and cooks to fork tenderness. Yes, chopping all those vegetables takes a little time, but you can do it the day before, if you'd like. I actually chop extra vegetables when I make this dish and store the extras in the refrigerator to use later in the week (in other dishes) when I'm pressed for time. The steak is great served with a salad and mashed potatoes, rice, quinoa, or my new favorite, farro. This is a Sunday dinner worthy of your mom or grandmother, and it's definitely a comfort meal. Leftovers also reheat well for weeknight dinners. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Italian Round Steak -- Serves 4+
14 - 16 ounce can of diced tomatoes
1 large bell pepper, chopped (about a cup, one color or mixed--I use a mixture of red
and yellow or orange)
1/2 a medium onion, chopped
4 ounces of mushrooms, chopped or sliced
2 - 3 teaspoons of chopped garlic
2 - 3 tablespoons of chopped celery
3/4 - 1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
1 - 2 teaspoons of dried parsley flakes
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 pounds of sliced round steak (about 1/2- to 1-inch thick)
1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce
2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
Parsley to sprinkle, optional, but good
Spritz the inner crock of a large slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Add the diced tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, garlic, celery, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, basil, and parsley flakes to the crock and mix them well. Nestle the round steak into the vegetable mixture in a single layer, if possible. Spoon some of the veggie mixture over the steaks. Pour the can of tomato sauce evenly over the steaks and then sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese. Cover the slow cooker and cook the steaks on high heat for about 6 hours or low heat for about 8 hours or until the steaks are fork tender and the veggies are soft. Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top (if you have it) before serving.
I don't eat beef. Could I substitute boneless chicken breasts?